New Year, New Beginnings

In the January 2014 Issue of CCFA'S Newsletter here is What's Going On Letter from Rick Geswell, CCFA President & CEO Rick Geswell, CCFA President and CEO Thank you for making 2013 such a success in the battle against IBD! You had the opportunity to make twice the impact in our matching gift challenge, and your response was overwhelming. Together we met our match goal – which was doubled by our board members. We're that much closer to a future free from IBD. Thank you! The Foundation is also proud to recognize our partners who, year after year, provide generous support for our education programs and patient services: AbbVie, Aptalis, Coronado Biosciences, Janssen, Pfizer, Prometheus, Salix, Santarus, Shire, Takeda and Warner Chilcott. Thanks to the support of you and our partners, we're looking forward to a year of giving back – to you! We have lots of exciting things in store including events, webcasts, scholarships, Camp Oasis, and, as always, patient education and support. Here's to a productive and happy 2014. A Career Change Because of IBD Claudia had a thrilling, fast-paced life as a music journalist in California. Between late nights at rock concerts and constant deadlines, Claudia was always on the job. After years of reporting, Claudia began experiencing extreme weight changes, including a 60-lb weight loss in just three months. After several tests, she was diagnosed with Crohn's. Soon, Claudia was struggling to manage her diagnosis and the demands of music journalism. She hesitated to approach her employers about her IBD, but when she did, she was pleasantly surprised by their reaction. They helped her find a much more suitable position... and things have only gotten better! Read Claudia's story here. read more Webcast: Health Insurance Marketplace 101 Want to learn how to navigate the health insurance marketplace? On Wednesday, January 29, from 3-4pm EST, join us for our Health Insurance Marketplace 101 webcast. Developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the program will provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act, including the enrollment process and available options for coverage. Speakers will include David Santana and Tarnisha Brown, both health insurance specialists for CMS. Register today! Scholarships for IBD Patients Did you know that scholarship opportunities are available for people with IBD? Gearing up to go to college is an exciting time, but it can get costly. Scholarships can help with these costs and, as an IBD patient, you can apply to opportunities tailored especially for you from UCB Pharmaceuticals, Convatec and the Patient Advocate Foundation. While CCFA does not directly offer scholarships, you can visit our scholarships page or contact us at info@ccfa.org to learn more. JANUARY 2014 ISSUE New Diet Brochure! For IBD patients, choosing what to eat can be complicated, since certain foods may exacerbate symptoms. This new brochure helps you make healthy food choices that are right for you. What Will Your Challenge Be? As a Team, we will challenge ourselves, change lives and fundraise for cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. There are seven great endurance events scheduled this summer, including five half marathons and two triathlons! Join us and find your team today! CCFA Partners Receives Funding from PCORI! CCFA Partners Research Initiative, our patient-powered research network, received a $1 million grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)! The additional funding will be used to further develop and expand a health data network that will be part of the National Patient-Centered National Clinical Research Network, or PCORnet. Register to participate in CCFA Partners today and help us improve the quality of life for patients living with IBD! IBD Clinical Trials & Other Studies CCFA provides a comprehensive database of studies, clinical trials and other research on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Some of the recently added studies include: • A study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PF-04236921 in subjects with Crohn’s disease who are anti-TNF inadequate responders, conducted by Pfizer • A study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of AMG 181 in subjects with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, or severe Crohn’s disease, conducted by Amgen • Mind/Body Medicine and Ulcerative Colitis study, conducted by Rush University. Deciding whether to participate in a clinical trial is an important personal decision, best made with a full understanding of the drug development process and a participant's role. doctors Learn More